Media processing

ABSTRACT

Apparatus is described that has a flexion component configured to apply a force to a first portion of media within a media path of a media processing device. The apparatus has a support portion configured to couple the apparatus to the media processing device. The media path provides a path along which the media is transported and has a feed area. The flexion moves a second portion of the media away from the feed area of the media path. A method of applying a force to media is also described.

BACKGROUND

Many media processing devices, such as printers and scanners, are configured to transport media along a media path. For example, a printer may deposit ink on paper transported along a media path and a scanner may capture an image of a document that passes one or more image acquisition devices. In these media processing devices, media typically enters the media path using one or more feed areas arranged along, or at the start of, the media path. A media feed area may use friction to transport media. For example, a media feed area may comprise one or more rotating rollers, which are positioned to contact media within the media path. The friction between the rotating rollers and the media thereby causes the media to be transported along the media path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section through a media processing device according to a comparative example;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a close-up of a media feed area of a media processing device according to a comparative example;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section through a media processing device which has been coupled to an apparatus according to an example;

FIG. 4a is a schematic diagram showing a first portion of media in the presence of an apparatus according to an example;

FIG. 4b is a schematic diagram showing the first portion of media in the absence of an apparatus according to an example;

FIG. 5a is a schematic diagram showing a second portion of media in the vicinity of a media feed area of a media processing device that is coupled to the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5b is a schematic diagram showing the second portion of media in the vicinity of a media feed area of a media processing device according to the comparative example;

FIG. 6a is a schematic perspective diagram showing an exemplary support portion for an apparatus according to an example;

FIG. 6b is a schematic perspective diagram showing an exemplary arm portion for an apparatus according to an example;

FIG. 6c is a schematic perspective diagram showing an exemplary roller for an apparatus according to an example;

FIG. 6d is a schematic perspective diagram showing an apparatus according to an example;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a media processing device coupled to an apparatus according to an example;

FIGS. 8a and 8b are schematic diagrams showing an exemplary axle aperture for a support portion of an apparatus according to an example; and,

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain media processing devices comprise a media transport arranged to feed media back into an initial area following media processing. For example, media may be driven in two opposing directions along the media transport and/or may be routed so as to use a common media holding area. In these cases, there may be a difficulty if media that has already been processed by the media processing device is fed back into the device. This behaviour may lead to media becoming jammed in the media path and/or damage the media. This may occur with batch scanning devices.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section through an exemplary media processing device 10. The media processing device 10 has a media path 20 defined by an upper surface 20 a and a lower surface 20 b. The media path typically extends within the media processing device, driving the media 40 past one or more actuators and/or sensors, e.g. print-heads and/or charge-coupled device arrays. The media path may be linear and/or curved. The media processing device 10 comprises a feed area 30 for feeding media 40 into the device and along a media transport. The media transport may comprise, amongst others, a belt-driven mechanism and/or a roller-driven mechanism. The feed area 30 may be considered a start of the media transport. In FIG. 1, media 40 is first positioned on a media tray 45 at an entrance to the media transport. In this case a portion of the media 40 extends along the media path 20. In the particular example shown in FIG. 1, the feed area 30 comprises two rollers 30 a and 30 b, between which media 40 is transported. Rotation of the rollers 30 a, 30 b causes any media 40 that is between the two rollers 30 a, 30 b to be transported along the media path 20. For example, a sheet of paper may contact the lower roller 30 b. The lower roller 30 b may then be rotated in a clockwise direction. In this case, a frictional force between the paper and the lower roller 30 b drives the paper forward between the two rollers 30 a, 30 b, i.e. from left to right in FIG. 1.

In media processing devices comprising feed areas 30, such as the one shown in FIG. 1, media 40 that has been processed by the device may be fed back into the media transport. For example, media 40 may be fed into the media processing device via the feed area 30. It may pass one or more actuators and/or sensors and then may be returned to the media tray 45. The media may be returned via an endless belt mechanism or by reversing a direction of rotation of one or more rollers, e.g. rollers 30 a and 30 b. Once media 40 has been processed it then rests on media tray 45 until it is removed by a user of the media processing device. In this case, while media 40 is resting on media tray 45 and awaiting removal by a user, it may remain in contact with, or in the vicinity of, the feed area 30. This may cause the media 40 to be “recaptured” by the feed area 30, and to be fed back into the media feed path or another part of the media processing device 10.

To aid in explanation, FIG. 2 shows a close-up of an exemplary media feed area 30, comprising an upper roller 30 a and a lower roller 30 b. In the exemplary arrangement shown, the upper roller 30 a rotates in a clockwise direction, and the lower roller 30 b rotates in an anti-clockwise direction. Thus the media 40 is transported in a leftward direction. As the media 40 emerges from the rollers 30 a, 30 b, gravity causes a portion, in this case a trailing portion of the media 40 to remain in contact with the lower roller 30 b. Continued, or subsequent, rotation of the lower roller 30 b, and friction between the lower roller 30 b and the trailing portion of the media 40, can cause the trailing portion of the media 40 to be “recaptured” by the roller 30 b.

As a particular example, in the event that the rollers 30 a, 30 b subsequently change direction of rotation while the media 40 remains in the vicinity of the rollers 30 a, 30 b, the trailing portion of the media 40 may be “recaptured” by the rollers 30 a, 30 b, and pulled back into the media path 20.

As another example, continued rotation, of the lower roller 30 b in the same (i.e. anti-clockwise) direction could cause the trailing portion of the media 40 to be pulled into a gap 50 between the lower roller 30 b and the lower wall 20 b. Further continued rotation of the lower roller 30 b can cause more of the media 40 to be fed into the gap 50. The media 40 may become lodged in the gap 50 thereby blocking the media path 20. The media 40 may alternatively or additionally become damaged.

It will be appreciated generally that any contact between media 40 and a moving part of a feed area 30 can cause media 40 to be captured, and fed into a part of a media processing device 10 that is undesirable i.e. a part which the media 40 should not be fed into.

Recapture of processed media 40 by a feed area 30 of a media processing device 10 may be found with media processing devices that process media 40 in batches, e.g. with one or more sheets of media. This is because, once a first piece of media 40 has been processed by the media processing device, a trailing portion of the first piece of media 40 will typically remain in the vicinity of the last feed area 30 from which it was ejected. When the feed area 30 begins to operate again (in order to transport a second piece of media 40 along the media path 20) the first piece of media 40 can be recaptured by the feed area 40. Thus, in order to avoid this, the first piece of media must be removed from the media processing device before the second piece of media is processed. This is somewhat burdensome on the user of the media processing device particularly if a large batch of media 40 is to be processed.

FIG. 3 shows schematically an exemplary modification of the media processing device 10, which may provide particular advantages. The media processing device 20 of FIG. 3 is fitted with an apparatus 60, which comprises a flexion component 70. The flexion component 70 is for use in causing a flexion in media 40. More specifically, the flexion component 70 is configured such that, while media 40 is being transported along the media path 20, and past the flexion component 70, the flexion component 70 contacts a portion of the media 40, and applies a force thereto. This force causes the media 40 to bend around the flexion component 70 thereby creating a flexion in the media 40. This, in turn, causes a second portion of the media 40, in this case a trailing portion, which has just emerged from the feed area 30, to move away from the feed area 30. This effect can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 4a, 4b, 5a and 5 b.

More specifically, FIG. 4a shows a close-up of the apparatus 60, and more particularly, the flexion component 70. In the example shown, as media 40 is transported beneath the flexion component 70, the flexion component 70 applies a substantially downward force onto a first portion 40 a of the media 40 that is beneath the flexion component 70. This causes the first portion 40 a of the media 40 to bend around the flexion component 70 thereby creating a flexion in the first portion 40 a of the media 40. FIG. 4b shows the first portion 40 a of the media 40 in the absence of the flexion component 70. As can be seen, there is no flexion present in the media 40 depicted in FIG. 4 b.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show a close-up of the feed area 30 of the media processing device 10. FIG. 5a shows a case with the use of a flexion component; FIG. 5b shows a comparative case. In these examples there is a second portion 40 b of media 40 in the vicinity of the feed area 30. As described above, in this particular example, the upper roller 30 a rotates in an anti-clockwise direction, and the lower roller 30 b rotates in a clockwise direction to feed media 40 into the device. FIGS. 5a and 5b show the second portion 40 b of the media 40 as the media resides in media tray 45. FIG. 5a shows the position of the second portion 40 b of media 40 when the media processing device is fitted with the apparatus 60. FIG. 5b , on the other hand, shows the position of the second portion 40 b of the media 40 when the media processing device is not fitted with the apparatus 60.

As will be seen, the second portion 40 b of the media 40 in FIG. 5a is a distance from the feed area 30 when the flexion component 70 is applied. For example, in the present case in FIG. 5a the tip of the sheet of media retreats from right to left along the media path 40. As such it is further away from the feed area 30 than the second portion 40 b of the media 40 in FIG. 5b . This is because the flexion in the media 40 in the arrangement of FIG. 5a has caused the second portion 40 b to move away from the feed area 30. More specifically, the flexion in the first portion 40 a of the media 40 has, in this case, caused the second portion 40 b of the media to move both upwards, away from the surface of the lower roller 30 b and the gap 50, and also to the left as compared to the location of the second portion 40 b in the arrangement of FIG. 5b . As can be seen in FIG. 4a , the flexion component 70 applies a force that displaces and/or bends the media, altering its planar geometry within the media path 20. The curvature of the media differs from the comparative case of FIG. 4b , which results in a lateral displacement of the media in relation to the feed area 30.

In short, therefore, by creating a flexion in a first portion 40 a of the media 40, a second portion 40 b is moved away from the feed area 30 of the media processing device 10, thereby reducing the risk that the second portion 40 b will be recaptured by the feed area 30.

An example of implementing the flexion component will now be described. Referring back to FIG. 3, the apparatus 60 also comprises a support portion 80, which is configured to couple the apparatus 60 to the media processing device 10. The support portion 80 may be integral with the media processing device 10, or it may be attachable to the media processing device 10, e.g. in a removable manner. In one embodiment, the support portion 80 maintains the flexion component 70 of the apparatus 60 in a position in which it can apply a force to media 40 resident in the media tray 45.

In the exemplary arrangement shown in FIG. 3, the flexion component 70 comprises at least one roller 90. Each roller may be rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the direction of media transport. In use, the roller portion is positioned so as to, contact media 40 as it is transported beneath the flexion component 70. Thus, when media 40 is transported beneath the flexion component 70, the at least one roller 90 rotates, and thereby enables the media 40 to pass beneath the flexion component without causing damage to the media 40. For example, this may be a case when media is being transported from right to left, e.g. being transported into the media tray 45 following processing. Advantageously, the roller 90 may be rotatable in both the clockwise and anticlockwise directions. This enabled media 40 to be transported beneath the flexion component 70 in both directions along the media path 20. This may be useful where the media processing device 10 carries out a process in which media 40 needs to be fed back and forth along a media path 20 multiple times. In the case that the media processing device 10 comprises a scanner, such a process requiring media to be fed back and forth along a media path 20 could be, for example, a calibration process, such as for a charge-coupled device array of the scanner.

The at least one roller 90 could be, for example, a cylindrical roller, as depicted in FIG. 6c . In certain cases, such as that illustrated in FIG. 6d , a plurality of rollers may he used. It will be appreciated, however, that the at least one roller 90 may be differently shaped, for example, the roller portion 90 could be substantially spherical. In other examples, a non-rotatable load may alternatively be applied, wherein the load is moved from the media path to allow passage of media when this is desired.

Additionally, or alternatively, the flexion component 70 may be rotatably coupled to the support portion 80 about a coupling axis 100 which is offset from a centre of gravity of the flexion component 70. Thus, the flexion component 70 may be biased to rotate about the coupling axis 100 under the force of gravity towards a position of equilibrium. In FIG. 3, the centre of gravity of the flexion component 70 is laterally offset from the coupling axis 100, e.g. by a distance to the left of the axis 100 in the Figure.

Such an arrangement is particularly useful in the case where the media 40 is transported beneath the flexion component 70. In such an arrangement, the position of equilibrium may comprise a case where the flexion component 70 rests on the lower wall 20 b of the media path 20. Thus, when media 40 is transported out of the media processing device, e.g. from right-to-left in FIG. 3, it is transported beneath the flexion component 70. In this case, the forces applied by the rollers of the feed area 30 move the media 40 from right-to-left and displace the flexion component 70, i.e. allow it to rotate upwards in the Figure wherein the at least one roller 90 rotates as the media 40 passes. Once the media 40 is in the media tray 45, a force is applied to the media 40, via the flexion component 70, due to gravity. As mentioned above, by applying this force to the media 40, via the flexion component 70, the flexion is created in the media 40, thereby moving a portion 40 b of the media away from the feed area 30 of the media processing device 10. The above-described arrangement has the advantage that it is relatively simple and cheap to manufacture. It will be appreciated, however, that there are alternative arrangements by which a force can be applied, via the flexion component 70, to the media 40. As an example, the flexion component 70 can be biased to apply a force to media 40 under the action of a spring. As another example, the force could be applied by a motorised component, such as a rod which moves under the action of a motor to apply a force to the media 40. In these arrangements, the force could be applied in any direction. For example, in a case where a media path is substantially vertical, and media 40 is transported in a vertical direction, the flexion component 70 may be configured to apply a horizontal force to the media 40.

The force may he applied at any angle to the direction of media transport. The angle at which the force is applied will alter the shape of the flexion. Thus, the direction of the force can be selected such that the resultant flexion is shaped to be compatible with a particular shape and configuration of a media path 20 and/or media feed area 30.

Advantageously, the force applied to the media 40 via the flexion component 70 is sufficient to create a deflection in the media 40 that is large enough to move the second portion 40 b of media 40 far enough away from the feed area 30 that there is little or no risk of capture by the feed area 30. However, the force is also not so great that it causes damage to the media. It will be appreciated that the optimum force will vary for different media 40, and may depend on factors such as the thickness and rigidity of the media 40, and also the material from which the media 40 is made. As such the flexion component may apply a load in a particular way, e.g. using one or more of a weight load, a spring load and a motorised load, depending on the media and/or media path configuration that is used in an embodiment.

In the arrangement where the flexion component 70 comprises at least one roller 90, and is also rotatably coupled to the support portion 80 about a coupling axis 100 that is offset from the centre of gravity of the flexion component 70, the flexion component 70 may comprise an arm portion 110 for linking the roller portion 90 to the support portion 80. Such an arrangement is illustrated schematically in FIG. 3. The arm portion 110 is coupled at one end to the support portion 80, and at another end, to the at least one roller 90.

In one case, a force applied by one or more of upper roller 30 a and lower roller 30 b determines whether media is ejected such that it is not recaptured by the media processing device. For example, in an eject case, upper roller 30 a and/or lower roller 30 b apply a first force that propels a leading edge of a sheet of media past the at least one roller 90 of the above described apparatus. In this case, although the flexion component 70 is applying a downward weight load, the at least one roller 90 rotates, allowing the media sheet to pass a distance into the media tray 45. By calibrating the first force and the weight load, media can be ejected such that the case shown in FIG. 5a occurs. Comparatively, in a re-feed case, upper roller 30 a and/or lower roller 30 b apply a second force that propels a leading edge of a sheet of media past the at least one roller 90 but not as far as in the eject case, e.g. the second force is less than the first force. In the re-feed case, the media is transported such that the case shown in FIG. 5a occurs, e.g. the media is in a state ready to be re-fed. In this case, the second force and the weight load may be calibrated to limit the distance the media is ejected. In one example, the first and second force may be calibrated by controlling the speed of one or more of upper roller 30 a and lower roller 30 b. This speed may be set by a particular mode of operation of the media processing device. In both cases, the flexion component 70 provides a braking force without damaging the media.

FIGS. 6a to 6d show the components of an exemplary apparatus 60 in more detail, More specifically, FIG. 6a shows an exemplary support portion 80 which comprises a coupling component 80 a for removably coupling the support portion 80 to the media processing device 10. In FIG. 6, the coupling component 80 a comprises a bracket or arm. At one end of the bracket is a base portion 82 for fastening the support portion 80 to the media processing device. In FIG. 3, this base portion 82 is securely attached to an internal structure of the media processing device. The bracket then comprises an elongate member 84 than extends between the base portion 82 and a head portion 86. The head portion 86 provides a rotatable coupling for the flexion component 70.

FIG. 6b shows schematically an exemplary arm portion 110 of the flexion component 70. The arm portion 110 comprises two axle portions, wherein a first axle portion 110 a is visible in the Figure. In use, each axle portion resides within a respective axle aperture of the support portion 80. A first axle aperture 80 b is shown in FIG. 6a . As is shown in more detail in FIG. 8, when in place within a respective axle aperture, an axle portion enables the arm portion 110 to rotate about an axis collinear with the axle portions.

The arm portion 110 as shown in FIG. 6b is also adapted to receive two rollers 90. In FIG. 6b an end of the arm portion opposite to the axle portions comprises two roller supports 115. Each roller support 115 comprises two laterally spaced members. Each member has an aperture arranged to receive an axle at one end of a roller 90. Each roller 90 may be removably mounted with each roller support 115; for example, at least one of the members may comprise a resilient member that may be moved laterally such that an axle of a roller no longer resides within an aperture of the member.

FIG. 6d shows an assembled apparatus 60 according to an example. Thus, in the exemplary arrangement shown in FIG. 6d , the flexion component 70 comprises an arm portion 110 and two roller portions 90; the flexion component 70 being coupled to a support portion 80.

In one example, the width of the flexion component 70 in the direction perpendicular to the direction of media transport is substantially equal to the width of the media 40 in the direction perpendicular to the same direction. For example, in FIG. 6d the width of the two rollers 90 is substantially equal to the width of a sheet of media. In another case, the flexion component 70 may comprise any number of rollers with a combined length substantially equal to the width of the media 40. In such arrangements, when media 40 is held within the media tray 45, the flexion component 70 applies a force across substantially the whole width of the media 40. This creates a substantially uniform flexion across the width of the media 40. This in turn decreases the likelihood that a portion of the media 40 will be recaptured by the feed area 30, as compared to an arrangement where, say, the flexion component 70 only applies a force to a central portion of the width of the media 40. As will be appreciated, in the case where the flexion component only applies a force to a central portion of the width of the media 40, edge portions of the second portion 40 b of the media may flop or fall downwards towards the feed area 30, and may be recaptured by the feed area 30.

In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus 60 may comprise a plurality of flexion components 70, which are distributed at regular intervals across the media path 20 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of media transport. Such an arrangement is depicted schematically in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, a plurality of media support fins 45 a provide a support for media 40 resident in the media tray 45. In this case, a media support fin 45 a comprises a curved elongate structure with a plurality of thin support members (“fins”) whose edge support a surface of the media 40. A plurality of flexion components 70 a are then arranged with respect to the plurality of media support fins. This arrangement also creates a substantially uniform flexion across the whole width of the media 40, and thereby further reduces the likelihood that a portion of the media 40 will be recaptured by the feed area 30.

As mentioned in relation to FIGS. 6a and 6b , the support portion 80 of the apparatus 60 may comprise axle apertures 80 b for rotatably coupling the axle portions 110 a of the flexion component 70 to the support portion 80. FIGS. 8a and 8b show an exemplary axle aperture 80 b in more detail. In the particular example shown, the axle aperture comprises two aperture portions 120 a and 120 b. In this example, the axle portion 110 a of the flexion component 70 is configured move between the first aperture portion 120 a and the second aperture portion 120 b. In the example of FIGS. 8a and 8b , the shape of a combined aperture comprising both axle apertures 80 a, 80 b is such that movement of the axle portions within the combined aperture is allowed. For example, a projection 130 extends into the combined aperture. In the first aperture position 120 a, an end of the protrusion 130 supports a lower side of the axle portion. As the protrusion 130 extends into the combined aperture, e.g. aperture portions 135 surround the protrusion 130, it may demonstrate a given amount of resilience enabling the movement of the axle portion.

When the axle portion 110 a is in the first aperture portion 120 a, the flexion component 70 is caused to be in a retracted position, in which the flexion component 70 is held up and out of the media path 20. When the axle portion 110 a is in the second aperture portion 120 b, on the other hand, the flexion component 70 is held in the position as described above in relation to FIG. 3, in which the flexion component contacts and applies a force to media 40 resident in the media path 20. FIG. 8a shows the flexion component 70 when the axle portion 110 a is moving between the first aperture portion 120 a and the second aperture portion 120 b. FIG. 8b show the flexion component 70 when the axle portion 110 a is engaged in the second aperture portion 120 b. Proving axle apertures 80 b with first and second aperture portions 120 a, 120 b, as described, is useful because it enables the flexion component 70 to be retracted out of the media path 20, thereby enabling a user of the media processing device to gain access to the media path 20.

The axle portion 110 a may be configured to move from the second aperture portion 120 b to the first aperture portion 120 a by the action of a user of opening a cover of the media processing device 10 that is in the vicinity of the axle portion 110 a. For example, the cover may be configured to lift the axle portion 110 a from the second aperture portion 120 b to the first aperture portion 120 a when the cover is lifted. Thus, when the cover of the media processing device 10 is open, the flexion component 70 is held in a retracted position, out of the media path 20, thereby enabling the user to easily gain access to the media path 20. A user may wish to access the media path 20 to clear an obstruction within the media path 20, or to fix components within the media path 20, for example.

When the user subsequently shuts the cover of the media processing device 10, the cover may be configured to push the axle portion 110 a back down into the second aperture portion 120 b. Thus, when the cover of the media processing device 10 is closed, the flexion component is held in the position as described above in relation to FIG. 3, in which the flexion component contacts and applies a force to media 40 resident in the media path 20.

In one variation, the flexion component 70 may be retractable, such that it enables a flexion in the media 40 to be selectively generated. This in turn means that the media 40 can be selectively recaptured by the feed area 30 of a media processing device 10. In other cases, e.g. after an eject case with a weight load, media may be recaptured by the media processing device after a user has reconfigured the media in the media tray. For example, a user may apply a small force to the media in the direction of travel along the media path; this force may move the media towards the feed area and allow it to be fed into the media processing device by way of the friction rollers.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing a method according to an example. This method may be performed using the apparatus 60 of the previous Figures or an alternative apparatus. The method comprises a first block, B1, of applying a force to a first portion of media within a media feed path of a media processing device. As discussed above, this force may be applied via a flexion component, which may be coupled to the media processing device via a support portion. Various exemplary configurations of the flexion component 70 have been discussed above. In a particular example, the flexion component may comprise one or more rollers and the method may comprise applying a force to the first portion of the media via the one or more rollers of the flexion component.

In some examples, the method may comprise using the weight of a flexion component to apply a load to the media whereby to apply the above-mentioned force to the first portion of media. This may be achieved, for example, by rotatably coupling the flexion component to a support portion about an axis which is off-set from the centre of gravity of the flexion component. Such a configuration has been discussed in more detail above in relation to FIG. 3. The force applied to the first portion of media may, in some examples, extend across the media in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of media transport. This helps to create a substantially even flexion across the width of the media as discussed above.

Alternatively, the method may comprise applying a force to a plurality of first portions of the media, which extend across the media in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of transport of the media along the media path. This may be achieved, for example, by using an apparatus such as the one depicted in FIG. 7 to apply the force. This exemplary apparatus comprises a plurality of flexion components, which are distributed at regular intervals across the media path in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of media transport. Each flexion component applies a force to a respective first portion of the media.

Referring back to FIG. 9, as a result of the force applied to the media in the first block B1, a flexion is created in the media at block B2. This in turn causes a second portion of the media to move away from a feed area of a media path at block B3, thereby reducing the risk that the second portion will be recaptured by the feed area.

In one example, in a case where the above-mentioned force is applied to the first portion of media via a flexion component, which resides in the media path, the method may comprise a further step of retracting the flexion component from the media path. Retracting the flexion component in such a way may he useful in the case that the user of the media processing device wishes to access the media path of the media processing device. Alternatively, or additionally, the retraction of the flexion component may be carried out to cause the media to be recaptured by the feed area and fed back into the media path.

FIGS. 8a and 8b , described above, depict an exemplary apparatus 60 which facilitates the retraction of the flexion component 70 in such a way. In this case, the flexion component 70 may be retracted from the media path 20 by moving an axle portion 110 a of the flexion component 70 between a first aperture portion 120 a and a second aperture portion 120 b of a support portion 80 of the apparatus 60.

The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples. Further examples are envisaged. It will be appreciated, in particular, that the term “media” is used herein to refer to any material which can be processed by a media processing device, such as a scanner or printer. “Media” may include, in particular, sheets of material such as sheets of paper, cardboard, plastic, or fabric. A “flexion” in a sheet of media has been used herein to refer to any displacement and/or bending of the media that is created by a force applied to the media, and which altars the planar geometry of the media within the media path, e.g. any deflection of the media caused by the application of a load. The term “feed area” has been used herein to refer to any area of a media processing device which causes media to be transported along a media path, and should not be limited, for example, to feed areas which utilise friction to transport media. As particular examples, a feed area may utilise gravity and/or a manual feed system in order to transport media along a media path.

It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one example may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the examples, or any combination of any other of the examples. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed. 

1. Apparatus comprising: a support portion configured to couple the apparatus to a media processing device, the media processing device having a media path along which media is transported, the media path having a feed area; a flexion component configured to apply a force to a first portion of media within the media path and thereby cause a flexion in the media, the flexion moving a second portion of the media away from the feed area of the media path.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexion component comprises at least one roller for applying the force to the first portion of the media.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexion component is rotatably coupled to the support portion about an axis perpendicular to a direction of transport of the media along the media path.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexion component is rotatably coupled to the support portion about an axis which is off-set from the centre of gravity of the flexion component.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the flexion component comprises an arm portion, the arm portion comprising an elongate member which couples the roller portion to the support portion.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexion component is coupled, via an axle, to an axle aperture of the support portion, and wherein the axle aperture is configured such that the flexion component can be retracted into a portion of the axle aperture, such that the flexion component is maintained in a position in which it no longer applies a force to the media.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexion component extends across the first portion of media in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of media transport, whereby to create a substantially uniform flexion across the width of the media.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of flexion components that extend across the first portion of media in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of media transport, each of the plurality of flexion components being configured to apply a force to a respective section of the first portion of media, whereby to create a substantially uniform flexion across the width of the media.
 9. A method comprising: applying a force to a first portion of media within a media feed path of a media processing apparatus, wherein the force results in a flexion in the media, the flexion moving a second portion of the media away from a feed area of the media feed path.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the method comprises applying the force to the first portion of media via at least one roller.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein applying a force to the first portion of media comprises using the weight of a flexion component to apply a load to the media.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein said force is applied via a flexion component resident within the media path, and the method further comprises retracting the flexion component from e media path whereby to stop applying the force to the first portion of media.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the method comprises applying said force to a first portion of media which extends across the media in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of media transport.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the method comprises applying a force to a plurality of first portions of the media, said portions extending across the media in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of media transport.
 15. Media processing apparatus comprising: a media path along which media is transported, the media path having a feed area; and, a flexion component configured to apply a force to a first portion of media within the media path and thereby cause a flexion in the media, the flexion moving a second portion of the media away from the feed area of the media path. 